Vaikunthha Ekaadasi occurs every year on the 11th day of the waxing fortnight in the month of Maargazhi.Its significance arises mainly from the Tiruvaaymozhi festival which was first introduced in Sreerangam by Thirumangai Aazhvaar.It was resurrected into its present form by Raamaanuja during the 12th century A.D.After the destruction by Muslim invaders in the 13th and 14th centuries it was again organised by the Vijayanagara rulers and SriVedaanthadeSika at Srirangam.Since then this festival is being celebrated annually in all major vaishNavaite shrines.
Raamaanuja wished to make people learn and practise the tenets of VaishNavism as taught by Nammaazhvaar and others by observing this festival and participating in it.During the first ten days starting from new moon day the songs of Aazhvaars are recited by the Arayars in front of the Lord. during the daytime.Hence it is called pakalpaththu.(ten days when the festival is conducted during daytime).
The thousand verses of Nammaazhvaar which culminate in his attainment of moksham or liberation on the Vaikunthha Ekaadasi day are recited during the nighttime during the second half of the festival called Iraappaththu .
Vaikunthha Ekaadasi is believed to be the day on which Lord Ranganaathha came out of Vaikunthha through the Vaikunthha vaasal or gate which remains closed during the rest of the year,received Nammazhvaar on the tenth day after itand led him to His abode.That is how Sreerangam came to be known as BhoolokavaikunThham.Its temple architecture is closely patterned after the description of VaikunThha in the VishNupuraaNa of sage ParaaSaraand the VaikunThhagadya of Sri Raamaanuja.Every one who goes along with Him and passes through this gate on that day, it is believed, will similarly attain liberation and reach the feet of the Lord.This is the reason why people throng the VaikuNTha vaaSal on the Vaikunthha Ekaadasi day.
Raamaanuja wished to make people learn and practise the tenets of VaishNavism as taught by Nammaazhvaar and others by observing this festival and participating in it.During the first ten days starting from new moon day the songs of Aazhvaars are recited by the Arayars in front of the Lord. during the daytime.Hence it is called pakalpaththu.(ten days when the festival is conducted during daytime).
The thousand verses of Nammaazhvaar which culminate in his attainment of moksham or liberation on the Vaikunthha Ekaadasi day are recited during the nighttime during the second half of the festival called Iraappaththu .
Vaikunthha Ekaadasi is believed to be the day on which Lord Ranganaathha came out of Vaikunthha through the Vaikunthha vaasal or gate which remains closed during the rest of the year,received Nammazhvaar on the tenth day after itand led him to His abode.That is how Sreerangam came to be known as BhoolokavaikunThham.Its temple architecture is closely patterned after the description of VaikunThha in the VishNupuraaNa of sage ParaaSaraand the VaikunThhagadya of Sri Raamaanuja.Every one who goes along with Him and passes through this gate on that day, it is believed, will similarly attain liberation and reach the feet of the Lord.This is the reason why people throng the VaikuNTha vaaSal on the Vaikunthha Ekaadasi day.
